AMAZING write up for all us Figure gals! Posted 4/16/2007 @ 4:57:45 PM Here is an article or write up I came across. I read it and LOVED it!!! How true it is. No offense to bodybuilders. I admire your dedication as well but Figure gets a lot of "kickin around". People have different views and comments on "Figure". This Gal just had the courage to speak up. Kudos to her!! Please comment on it by e-mailing me your views on this article....I would love to hear from you. Enjoy....... Tales of a "Bikini Babe" by Olesya Novik I am an athlete. My life is consumed by my sport. I spend it eating six or seven times daily, training a couple of hours per day, and doing copious amounts of cardio. I make sure I get my eight hours of sleep, and carry a gallon of water wherever I go. Open the biggest cabinet in my kitchen. You'll see a few bottles of BCAA's, surrounded by 3 huge containers of protein powder (to ensure that I NEVER run out), glutamine, and a collection of smaller bottles with colorful capsules inside. Look around. Staring back at you, on the countertop, is an enormous box of oatmeal from Costco... along with a bottle of Se7en and Hot-Rox Extreme, and at least 10 more gallons of water. Now open my fridge. Awww... were you looking for a soda?? SORRY, all I've got are chicken, eggs, broccoli, and some steak for that special occasion. I SAID I'm prepping for a contest!! You were hungry and HAD to stop by Micky D's because there wasn't anything healthier around? I understand. I would do the same... if I didn't have a trunk-full of pre-made chicken with rice and a purse-full of tuna packets with me at all times! Does your lady run to the restroom to "freshen-up" at work? I do the SAME!! Except "freshen-up" means "down a shake" in my language — not "reapply mascara" as it does in hers. Does your idea of a party involve beer?? I know how to party too!! My idea of a good time involves a squat rack and a bucket for vomiting after each grueling set... Didn't mean to get carried away, just wanted to introduce myself. Hi. How you doin'? My name is Olesya Novik. I'm a figure girl. I compete in figure competitions. You know the ones. Some like to refer to them as "bikini contests" that feature girls with "no athletic ability." Just a bunch of "cardio bunnies" prancing around the stage in high heels. I'm one of those ladies. Why the bitter undertone, you ask? Come train with me — or better yet, spend a day living my life — and you'll see why I'm fed up with reading articles and posts all over the web stating that competing in figure requires no "special abilities, athleticism, or discipline of any kind." I get upset any time someone who knows NOTHING about my lifestyle goes on a board to post that figure doesn't belong as a division of any bodybuilding federation since women competing in it aren't "real athletes." My life as a figure competitor is stressful enough just knowing that unlike the bodybuilding division of my sport, figure doesn't have any set rules or requirements. While bodybuilders look to simply gain as much mass as humanly possible and get ripped to shreds prior to getting on stage, I have to determine a way to be ripped — but with no visible striations, and have very full — but defined muscles with no water OR thin skin. My physique can not just be muscular — it has to be aesthetically pleasing to the judges of that particular show. I have to be perfectly balanced — create the illusion of a wide back, a tiny waist, capped shoulders, sculpted legs — all without looking like I have too much muscle in any portion of my figure. I have to look curvy, but strong. I push beyond physical boundaries to get my body unnaturally lean to show off the musculature I work so hard to get. I then have to work on ways to look "full" to MASK that leanness, so as to maintain my feminine appeal. So what makes bodybuilders more "athletic" than us figure girls, anyway? Is it the fact that they get to walk barefoot on stage while we have to pose while cramping up in heels? Or maybe it's the fact that they don't have to worry about their hair looking perfect, their makeup being flawless... their false lashes staying in place through the day, and their blush being visible on an orange base? Wait, I know — it's the fact that male bodybuilders get to hike up their bikini bottoms to show off the striations on their glutes, while I have to Bikini-Bite the barely-there "V" of the bottom portion of my suits to my ass and pray it doesn't get unglued as I'm trying to balance in my 6" heels while looking graceful in my walk, remembering how to pose perfectly and SMILE!! All while trying to not fall because OUCH... my left leg cramped up! And WHOA... the bikini bite didn't hold up too well... Guess what? My barely covered booty is now disqualified from the competition. Here we go again — back to the drawing board. Pack on some muscle to balance out my physique a bit more. Some old-school training does it best for me — yep, those same Deads, Squats, Rack Pulls, Chins... those Barbell Rows and Bench. Those are what I do, just like the Bodybuilders. Just like the "real athletes" of my sport. I bust my ass, lift over twice my weight in most of those compound movements I listed. Just like them. I have deep scratches on my shins, calluses on my palms, long bruises on my back — where the squat bar rests. Yet somehow, according to so many posts on the net, what I do requires "no discipline." It's nothing more than a bikini contest. And it's time to step on stage. I'm walking slowly, approaching the entrance, grabbing onto the bottom of my suit as I walk — NO WAY IN HELL will I let that Bikini Bite fail on me this time! As I press the suit into my skin, I feel myself getting more nervous — and overwhelmingly excited at the same time. My entire body feels weak, dehydrated, shaky. I can barely see because of the heavy makeup covering my eyelids. My right foot has been cramping up ever since I got into my heels... and all I can think is... SMILE. Try to. Be graceful, FEMININE. You've spent hours covering up the scratches from those Deadlifts, the bruises from the Squats to look flawless — like a lady should! Now it's your turn. GO! SMILE! Don't flex too hard! Don't trip! Rock the hips when you walk! NOT THAT MUCH — watch the Bikini Bite!! WHEW. It's over. I did it. The prejudging is done. Time to rest, re-touch my makeup, remain "dry" yet full-looking, fix the hair, and not ruin the tan — which means stay away from water. ANY water. Well... I'm faced with a bit of a dilemma. I DO want the perfect tan — with no drip marks anywhere on my body — for the night show. But nature calls. I've GOT to pee. I'm NOT a male. My anatomy makes it impossible to just "stand & aim." I need to sit, and risk splashing water onto my perfectly tanned bottom. Yes, this too requires ingenuity. I end up peeing in a plastic cup to avoid any marks on my tan. As soon as I'm backstage prior to the night show starting, I begin helping other girls with their dilemmas. One ruined her tan by not being as resourceful as me when she had to pee. Another competitor had the look of death on her face because one of the straps of her suit broke. Armed with a sewing kit, a few of the girls jumped to help her — while a few others (myself included in this group), went to comfort her and convince her that all would be OK! As I was thinking of ways to make her understand that what was happening to her was in no way a life-or-death situation, something occurred to me. I DID want to win. Badly. But this isn't what amazed me — the reason for my desire to win is what was truly surprising! Unlike male bodybuilders of my sport, I would NOT be rewarded for my efforts in winning the show with a cash prize. All I would be getting is a plastic trophy. The trophy, along with recognition for being the best athlete on stage that day. That is what meant a lot to me. The Squats, the Deadlifts, the Rack Pulls... the bruises, and cuts on my shins. All the vomiting on leg day. All those times I was up for cardio at 3AM, before eating a cold chicken breast on my way to work an hour later. ALL WORTH IT, for that recognition!! I placed first at the show, which, of course, made me happy. In all honesty, however, it's the weeks leading up to the show that taught me a whole lot about why I love my sport. I learned a lot about who I am, and how determined the iron, the treadmill, and that chicken breast have made me. I learned that I definitely do not give up easily! And hell, if I can lift those 350lbs for sets of 13 reps... I sure will have no problems dealing with just about anything else life throws my way! A human body is a machine, controlled by the mind. If the mind believes it, the body will achieve it. At least that's how MY mind works. You know — the mind of an athlete... Comments are currently OFF A Much Needed Update!!!!! Posted 3/20/2007 @ 7:55:36 PM Well, that was a long break from my journal! A lot has happened since my last journal update. I competed at the Olympia....My first time competing at the O.....and it was INCREDIBLE!!!!! I am focused and ready to rock this season and qualify again for the Olympia. I had a BLAST!!!!!! Visit my gallery and you will see pics from the show. I had a nagging injury that started back in July and got really bad in August but I trained through all the pain just to quailfy for the "O". I did it, so I had to keep on training a few more weeks so that I could step on stage at the Olympia. My leg was pretty bad. I thought that I needed some much deserved rest. So it was before Christmas and still the pain was there.....I even took some time off of training. Just after Christmas I was sick and tired of being in so much pain. I had being going to the chiro and had A.R.T done but nothing was helping. I thought that I might have had a tear in my hamstring. I got in to see the Toronto Maple Leafs Doc and had ultra sound done.........results were, no tear! Thank God!! Lots of inflammation though. He referred me to one of his many physio guys......of course he made sure i seen the one that is the most thorough! I can now say after seeing Jeff Bird 5 times, my leg is healed and he is working on the rest of my body to make sure all my muscles are working properly and every muscle is firing. I had about 3 muscles in my hamstring and glutes that weren't firing and therefore I was unable to train and build my legs the way I wanted. All muscles are now working but very weak as they haven't been used is such a long time.....other muscles ended up compensating. Bottom line, Jeff told me that it is all starting in my right butt....He said my butt was too tight! lol I said "Thankyou"! All is good now. I see hiim once a week and it's worth the 1 hour and 10 min drive to Toronto. My next show that I've already started getting ready for is the Jan Tana on June 23. I'm VERY excited, although I'm a little sad as well. That weekend is the same weekend as Ontarios. I have, so far, 5 girls competing at that show.....all wanting to qualify for Nationals. I wish I could be there to help them get ready and be stressfree. But I will have them more then ready and prepared to do it on their own.....I have a great team of girls that they will all help eachother out!! You guys all Rock!!! Even though I will be preparing to go on stage, I will be on the phone with them making sure eveything is ok........I'm like a concerned parent!! lol So, I must say a thank you to my trainer, Kim Oddo, who got me to my final dream (goal) for competing.....the Olympia. I am so blessed to have such a positive, FUNNY, person in my life. We are going to Rock this season!!! He is an inspriation and an incredible person. I also had a dream of having my own studio...and without the guidance and encouragment of Both Kim Oddo and Jane Awad, I probably would have never presued it..... ************ YES I'M OPENING A TRAINING STUDIO!!!********** I've had many clients bugging me telling me to open up my own place. I guess I didn't have the confidence. But until I talked with Kim and Jane, they both gave me the confidence and the guidance to open "Nina Luchka Professional Training System", Thank you Kim and Jane!! The studio should be open in about 2 weeks. The first truck load of equipment comes tomorrow!!!! WOW!! So starting the 2007 season off pretty good, ........injury is gone, studio is opening, Nina Luchka's Elite Physique Figure team is growing with more new athletes signing on the past couple of months. Welcome all new athletes!! We will have a blast this season! Oh, I've been doing a couple of fitness episodes on Rogers, a few photoshoots booked (one with Oxygen for a workout spread), and I have resigned with my sponsor from last year....Xpressions The Salon! These guys rock!! They do a ton of magazine work, articles, shows, photoshoots, and they have many competitors that get their hair done there. Xpressions and myself will be teaming up, and together we will be changing lives. Anyone who would like more info on the salon, please e-mail me. These are the guys who do my hair including my extensions! Yes I have extensions. Any pics you look at in my galleries, I have extensions in all of them!! Well, I guess I have rambled on but I had to update all of you! There will be more updates in the future so check back. I will be posting info in the news section on how the Elite Physiques team is doing at the shows and all their other accomplishments. I am hoping to have the new site up soon. My site needs a much needed overhaul! There's more to talk about but I will leave it for another journal entry. To all my Fans, Friends, and Family thank you for all your support and encouragment! Cheers! Here's to a Fabulous, Fun 2007 Year!! Have a Beautiful night Nina xox Comments are currently OFF Montreal Pro Classic Posted 9/5/2006 @ 2:40:51 PM WOW....i can't believe I did it!! Not only did I place 3rd (which i am EXTREMELY HAPPY), i qualified for Olympia!!! The Big "O"!!! For those of you who are close to me you know the set backs and struggles that I have been going through this past summer.....well, since March. It was very hard for me to find my focus and motivation for competing. I REALLY wanted to compete in the Pittsburgh show and I was unable to get focused.....it was frustrating and it was very upsetting for me. So I didn't end up doing the show. I still trained hard, cardio was ok and eating could have been a little cleaner....but it was summer and it was nice to enjoy the odd BB-Q. I had the Montreal show on my mind for a while and really wanted to do the show. Again, i was finding it hard to get that focus and motivation. I felt lost. Terrible feeling when you know you love to compete and you don't know what's keeping you back. But, I pulled things to together last minute. I trained Hard, Like i never have before......the cardio was killer!!!!!! Through all this I have two people to thank....My trainer, Kim Oddo, for all the support, positive motivation, guidance, input, etc. You didn't have to but you did and I am VERY.....EXTREMELY.....thankful for that!!! You went out of your way. And my husband Vince, for keeping me on track and encouraging me.....and of course cooking all my meals, and taking care of things that need to be done that i can't do because of all the cardio!! lol. This was a tough show for me,, not only the obstacles leading up to the show, but the friday before the show (show was on a sunday). I almost didn't do the show! I got anixety so bad that i was in the hotel room in tears, wanting to go NOW! For those of you who have never had anixety, it's hard for you to understand. For those of you who do get anixety, you know what i'm saying!! My husband is so good when i get it, and he says that he still doesn't understand how I feel, even though he sees me go through it. He rubbed my back for sooooo long to calm me down and keep me warm (that's what helps). I thank him for being so patient! I just wanted to share that with everyone. I;m not embarrassed saying that I was in tears, in my hotel room, basically freaking out and I want to go home NOW!! I want everyone to know. If I can help others then that's what matters. So many keep things like this "hush Hush", and i don't see why. It also shows that here i had a major set back right before a show, pulled myself together and got up on that stage and qualified for the Olympia! Yes, the anixety made me retain water, but there was Kim Oddo on the phone with my husband and me telling me to stay calm and what i need to do (sauna, cut back on water intake earlier). Man, it's situations like this that i get so proud of myself. Sure it's great that I placed 3rd and qualified. Some people will think it's a walk in the park....oh, she just dieted, trained and stepped out on stage all tanned up and did her thing and placed third! Oh no my friend....not that easy! These set backs or obstacles makes the placings, qualifyings, etc, that much better! I did it!!! No matter what got in my way, I did it!! Comments are currently OFF Choose your foods, choose your future. Posted 8/10/2006 @ 10:32:59 AM Okay, I'm watching this program (during one of my cardios) called "Lifeline with Dr Oz". For those of you who don't know Dr. Oz, He is an incrediable doctor from New York. Not only does he know his stuff, he also knows about healthy eating (which I find A LOT of doctors know NOTHING about). Anyways, on his show they followed a patient who needed triple bi-pass surgery. The man was in shock and so was his family. But, you know what, THEY DON'T GET IT!!!! They think "oh my gosh I've got to have triple by pass because my arteries are clogged.". Too many people are in shock when they get a disease, stroke, heart attacks, etc. I find they think it's just hereditary, or their age. They don't see that it's what they are eating. If they changed their lifestyle habits, maybe exercised a bit more and ate healthy, they would lessen their chances of ever going through such pain, and putting their families through pain?!. Too many people I talk to that say "oh, I could never compete because I couldn't eat like that....I want to live a little!" Live a Little?!? Oh they will live a little....very little, until they have a stroke or heart attack, or whatever, and they will wonder "why" that happened to them......all because they wanted to enjoy their life by eating tastey (fattening) foods. People don't understand that you CAN eat healthy and it CAN be tastey. They have to realize that your tastebuds are so used to the crap food that when they try VERY hearlthy foods it's not as appealing. I remember having natural peanut butter in my diet (in off season of course), I HATED IT!!! It was TERRIBLE. But, I made myself eat it, and one day i tried the Kraft peanut butter.....IT WAS TERRIBLE!! I'll never go back to Kraft peanut butter again. Yuck!! For those who want to "live a little", wouldn't you want to "live a lot"?? A lot longer....and healthier?? I feel for those people and families who have to go through the pain and suffering of someone who has or is going through an illness, heart attack, etc, when it could have been prevented if they maybe chose to live a healthier lifestyle. So the next time you want to have a burger, ice cream, or tastey dish of potatos with sour cream, bacon, or a salad with roasted almonds and creamy sauce, think of your future......how this will affect your future. It's just something to think about. E-mail me if you want some alternatives to some of the meals you are eating. I'd be glad to help! Comments are currently OFF Enjoy the simple things in life! Posted 7/16/2006 @ 5:38:56 PM The other evening, as I was working on my project “Retaining wall and flower beds”, I heard this bird…..what a beautiful sound it was making. I was trying to see if I could see it in the trees but couldn’t find it. Next evening, around the same time, I heard the bird again. This time I looked harder and finally saw the bird……it was a Robin. I didn’t know robins sang like that. It was so beautiful. It made me smile every time I heard this robin sing. It gave me such a warm, free feeling inside. The same feeling that I remember as a kid. Those were the days!! Remember those days?? Do you honestly remember them…..that feeling!?! That free feeling! The “I can accomplish anything” feeling! I’ve been experiencing “that feeling” more and more lately. I LOVE IT!!! It’s unfortunate that as we get older we loose sight of all the beautiful, simple things in life. We get all caught up in the everyday, rushing, world. Always busy! No time for the most important things in life…..and I don’t mean work or money, etc. It’s the little things. The things that make us truly happy inside. When is the last time you leant a “helping” hand to someone and really felt good inside….and didn’t expect anything in return?? When is the last time you really enjoyed the outside….nature….the birds, flowers, a good thunderstorm?? Try to take time for yourself. Find what truly makes you smile (like a kid) on the inside…..that free feeling. You will enjoy every second….and you WILL do it more often. Have a beautiful day! Comments are currently OFF It's Been Awhile! Posted 6/20/2006 @ 8:32:39 AM WOW....it's been awhile since I wrote in my journal! Sorry to all of you! I've had so many people e-mail asking when I will be updating my site. So today I've set aside some time to reflect on what has been happening in my life. My last journal entry was in April, well, I was trying to get ready for the Pittsburgh show, but my head just wasn't into it. I LOVE the Pitts show but I just wasn't focused enough. I definitely didn't want to go into the show "half-assed". That's not me. Then I had my eye on the Toronto Pro show, but it ended up being cancelled. So, My next show is the Montreal Pro show on Sept 3 (on a Sunday) and I am SO FOCUSED AND READY TO ROCK!!! Business for me is VERY busy....the way I like it to be. I can't sit! I need to be doing something. I'm expanding and growing my business which is very exciting. I have some new great ideas and I have been approached by people to venture into some ideas they have.....which are fantastic. Since my business is growing bigger, I'm going through business names....something that is professional, catchy and stands out. I 've thought of one and I'm liking it! Aside from my Personal training/Nutrition/competition coaching business, the air brush tanning and make up are doing VERY well at the shows. I intend to keep this little side business going strong. It's very satisfying in helping competitors look their best on stage, as your tan is SOOOOO important, and make up is just as important. Team members are doing very well. I have 2 team members going to Canadian Nationals....Kim Tilden and Sharon Whitsitt. I am SOOOO excited for both of them. And last thing that has happened in the last month I was sick for awhile from an ovarian cyst that burst! NOT pleasent!!! It happened last year too! UNBELIEVABLE PAIN!! Feeling a lot better now, but now it's one of my dogs that is under the weather. For the past 2 weeks, she hasen't been herself. Vet can't find anything wrong so I took her to the Chiropracter. Looks like she has pulled or strained a muscle in around her neck and left shoulder. I have to give her several massages throughout the day so that she can walk. Poor thing. She goes to the Chiropracter again today so I'll see what she says. My poor baby.....she's just so tiny....only 6 lbs!! Little cutie! Well, I'm always keeping busy, so if it takes me a while to get back to e-mails you all know why.....if i'm not training, i'm working on business stuff, or taking care of my dog now, or building the retaining wall that I so cleverly wanted to do it myself.....what a job that is!!! It's not a small job. When I'm done I'lll have to post some pics of it.....I'm very proud of it, so far. See, I HAVE to do this myself! It's very satisfying!! Anyways, i guess that's it for now. Off to do my cardio and training.....and everything else. Have a Beautiful day!!!! xox Comments are currently OFF Wonderful Weekend! Posted 4/9/2006 @ 7:20:02 PM What an amazing weekend....from a full posing clinic to beautiful weather, to painting the kitchen! I love it when I get a lot of things done. First of all, the posing clinic went GREAT!! It was a full class and everyone did amazing. There were a couple of girls that have competed before but to all the rest, it was all new. They all did a great job! It's funny how most of the girls come in and it all feels awkward posing. But by the time the clinic was over they were all posing without the help of me. It's so exciting!!! I love to help other achieve their dreams and goals!! I ended up painting the kitchen....which took me a couple of different paints until I finally chose the right colour. I LOVE IT!!! Everytime I walk into the kitchen I feel so cozy and warm. Thanks to Karen (from the gym), who recommended the paint and confirmed that I should go with the olive green colour.....I'm tellin ya, What a BEAUTIFUL colour!!! I'm tackling the great room next....going to texturize one wall with compound and then use two different shades of paint to add some character to the wall. It better work! lol I enjoy painting...very relaxing for me. Well, next competition is Pittsburgh Pro in 4 weeks!! I will be going HARD CORE over the next month! LOVE IT!!! And I am holding another posing clinic in 2 weeks. I've had A LOT of inquires for it, so I'm sure it will be full in no time! If so, I'll be holding another one right after my Pitts show. Oh, and, I got my Jan Tana Air Brushing system (a bigger one) last week.....IT ROCKS!!! It's the same one Jan Tana used at Olympia 2005 and this year at the Arnolds. When her team sprayed me for the Arnolds I was amazed and HAD to get the biggest one! Jan has been an amazingly sweet person, helping me out with this system. Telling me everything I will need and how to give the competitiors the BEST TAN POSSIBLE!! It's UNBELIEVABLE!!! AWESOME colour!!! I recommend Jan Tana's tanning products, including moisturizer, pre-scrub, posing gel, and all her tans. I have been using them for a year now and I've had flawless tans with an amazing colour. All her products go hand in hand. If you read in the Oxygen Mag in the May issue, I've said in there how I use her moisturizer.....it makes your skin sooooo soft and it smells incredible. It's yummy!! I will be selling the moisturizers, scrubs, posing gel, and tans at shows and you can also contact me. I will be at most of the OPA shows spraying on tans for competitors, so if anyone is interested, please contact me ahead of time and book in a time. I will give you the details when you contact me. Well, off to do my cardio!! Have a restful sleep tonight! xox Comments are currently OFF Spring Time! Posted 4/3/2006 @ 3:02:54 PM I love the spring....its just that much closer to the warmer weather. I love to hear the birds in the morning and the crickets at night.....it's sooooo relaxing. Its a rainy day today and expecting thunderstorm....can't wait. A nice thunderstorm is calming to watch....not those storms that call for tornados. I got stuck in one last year downtown Toronto....NOT FUN AT ALL!!! I was freaked out. Funnel clouds, then the stillness....scary stuff. I've been very busy getting my income tax all together....receipts, receipts and more receipts! And you can tell when the competition season is here.....I'm getting bombarded with clients....which is a GREAT thing. The more I can teach others about this sport and everything they need to know, the better. I love this sport and I want others to do their BEST and achieve their goals and dreams like I have. It's funny how competitors start competition prep a couple months out from a show, when REALLY, they should be making their changes in their off season (months ahead). I guess better late then Never. That's how I started out until I realized how IMPORTANT the off season was! There have been a bunch of things that are working out for me, but I will get to them later as they are finalized! VERY EXCITING!!! Training is going great, competition prep is going great, I'm enjoying every minute of my life! Life is real good! I did an article for a magazine and I've gotten some incredible feedback.....very inspiring e-mails from other people who were inspired by my story. That means the world to me. I'm very thankful that I can touch the lives of others in such a positive way!! Here is something that I truly believe in....We are all here for a reason or a purpose. When you find it, you will have such a calming and peaceful; yet exciting, feeling! Have a Beautiful Day! Comments are currently OFF Currently viewing the [8] most recent posts.   |   Click here to view all Posts